At the young age of 12, Arianna Alvarado experienced the devastating loss of her 18-year-old childhood friend due to a fatal fentanyl overdose.
Arianna admitted to being extremely perplexed at the time and confesses that she didn’t have a clear understanding of what fentanyl actually was. “I was very confused,” she said.
She was deeply affected by the tragedy, but it also served as her motivation. At the age of 17, as a senior at Lincoln High School, she has taken it upon herself to educate her peers about the dangers of fentanyl.
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She emphasized the unpredictability of fentanyl, saying that it is impossible to know which substances contain it. She also highlighted the importance of being prepared to save someone’s life in case of an overdose.
In a recent development, Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law that requires California school districts, charter schools, and private schools with existing health classes to educate high school students about the dangers of fentanyl. The law mandates that these courses be introduced by 2026 and will be compulsory for graduation.
Assemblymember David Alvarez, from San Diego, authored the legislation to dispel misinformation and promote informed decision-making among students.
Alvarez expressed his concern about the possibility of social media and other unreliable sources becoming the primary source of information for young individuals.
Being a father of a middle schooler, Alvarez acknowledges the difficulties of conversing about drugs.
He expressed hope that this would initiate the process of making families feel more at ease and confident that their children are equipped with the correct information to make informed choices.
According to Jim Crittenden, who provides support to San Diego school districts in substance abuse prevention efforts for the San Diego County Office of Education, the new law is a significant first step.
According to him, the dissemination of fentanyl education to high school students is long overdue. However, he believes that the primary focus of prevention efforts should start at a younger age.
According to Arianna, educating children about fentanyl at a younger age could have been the difference between life and death for her friend.
“She wouldn’t be here if only she had graduated college earlier. Unfortunately, fentanyl can be so deadly,” she stated.
